Ricciardo to start last in ‘strategic’ move

After an underwhelming performance in qualifying, a team decision means Daniel Ricciardo will have it all to do in Turkey.

Welcome to tonight’s coverage of the Turkish Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo will have his work cut out for him to continue the strong form he has shown so far in the second half of the F1 season.

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The Australian could only manage the 16th fastest lap time in qualifying and was unable to progress out of the first qualifying session in a hugely disappointing result.

But Ricciardo will start from last place on the grid after McLaren opted to replace his internal combustion engine (ICE), turbo and Motor Generator Unit Heat (MGU-H) and cop a grid penalty as a result.

It’s a sensible strategic decision by McLaren, who would have needed to replace Ricciardo’s engine at some stage during the remainder of the season.

Since he was going to start way back at 16th, starting four places is not the end of the world given he now has a more powerful engine.

“It’s cutting our losses really from qualifying,” Ricciardo explained pre-race.

“Obviously qualifying wasn’t great and the penalty is going to be inevitable at some point so it would hurt to take it when we have a strong qualifying.

“It’s a bit of a strategic thing.”

F1 journalist Chris Medland agreed, tweeting: “All of those components only cost Ricciardo five places on the grid, so makes a lot of sense, especially with a particularly unpredictable race ahead.”

Wet conditions are forecast for the circuit in Turkey so Ricciardo’s best hope will be carnage unfolds ahead of him on the grid and he is able to take advantage of his fresh engine and race craft to move through the field.

“In these conditions it’s always a bit nicer when you’re towards the back,” he said.

“It’s all good. I’m happy to wake up with these conditions.

“I think at the back it gives us opportunity to do a little more. That’s the plan at least.”

Despite being fastest in qualifying, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will start from 11th after Mercedes took a 10-place grid penalty for replacing his ICE.

The race will get underway at 11pm (AEDT).

Turkish Grand Prix Starting Grid
1) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

4) Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)

5) Fernando Alonso (Alpine)

6) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

7) Lando Norris (McLaren)

8) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

9) Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

10) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)

11) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

12) Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

13) George Russell (Williams)

14) Mick Schumacher (Haas)

15) Nicholas Latifi (Williams)

16) Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo)

17) Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo)

18) Nikita Mazepin (Haas)

19) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

20) Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

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